Dallas Cowboys to release rookie wide receiver Traeshon Holden

The Dallas Cowboys are releasing wide receiver Traeshon Holden ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline, per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Holden signed with Dallas this offseason as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon.

Holden spent two years at Oregon after starting his career at Alabama, and he turned in the best year of his career in 2024. He totaled 45 receptions for 718 yards and five touchdowns as the Ducks won a Big Ten championship in their first season in the conference. That came after an impressive junior year when he had 452 yards and six touchdowns.

Source: The #Cowboys are waiving rookie WR Traeshon Holden.

The former Oregon Ducks star had a great camp and preseason. Should be strong interest in him on the waiver wire. pic.twitter.com/mFvByXyqUn

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 26, 2025

Prior to his arrival in Eugene, Holden played three years at Alabama. His biggest season in Tuscaloosa was his last when he had 331 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2022. Now, he’ll look to carve out a role elsewhere following his departure from Dallas.

Holden played high school football at Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 194 overall player from the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

During the pre-draft process, Holden generated buzz as a potential Day 3 pick. He has the traits to make an impact against zone coverage, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, and can also play a key role as a blocker. That, Zierlein said, could help Holden carve out a role at the next level.

“Inside/outside wide receiver with height, weight and length but missing ideal speed,” Zierlein wrote. “Holden’s high-knee action in his take-off is unmistakable and he gets into routes with urgency. He’s a ready-made zone-beater with above-average play strength and feel for space.

“He’s capable of running a full route tree but will have issues getting off press and slipping man coverage. The tape doesn’t stand out, but his physicality and willingness as a run blocker is a differentiator that could help his cause.”

Dallas now boasts eight wide receivers on its depth chart, with that number likely to shrink even further.

• CeeDee Lamb
• George Pickens
• Jalen Tolbert
• Jonathan Mingo (injured)
• KaVontae Turpin
• Jalen Brooks
• Jalen Cropper
• Ryan Flournoy

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.